Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-03-12
OUR PARISH MYSTERY.

No one would ever have thought that
our little village in Kent was destined to
immortality 1t was one of the most COM
mon-place of English hamlets, inhabited
only By fishermen and farm laborers. Our
Vicarage, the Grange, and a pretty little
cottage called Sea View, were the only re-
spectacle houses in the place. On our ar
rival at the parsonage Sea View cottage
was TO let, and SO all the society that was
to be had was that of the Grange people,
the Squire and his family Now, though
Mr.. and Mrs. Dale were excellent people in
their way and very hospitable, there was
certainly some excuse for cur wishing for
an occasional change of society, and all the
more so that we had come to Sandville
from one of the most fashionable towns in
the north of England. 1t was therefore,
with great pleasure that we heard one day
from Mrs Dale that Sea View cottage had
at last found tenant.
tAnd more than mere tenant, added
the Squire, radiantly "a person of great
distinction Sea View will become as fam
Gus as Rydal Mount. l consider that that
piece of house property has trebled in value
since | signed the lease with Mrs. Mort"
Mort?" l cried. " You don't mean
James Mort, the author of Georgette p :
The same" answered Mrs. Dale, smil-
ing, no doubt at my having confessed my
selfa reader of novels; " the great novel
list He has taken the house for nine
years
Have you seen him? What is he Hke?"
] asked anxiously
No. We have only seen his wife. She
came over from Dover Yesterday. They
have Just arrived from Paris, where Mr..
Mort has been living. He was too fatigued
to accompany her. The passage from Ca
lais had greatly upset him. Mrs Mort
seems charming person, though rather
peculiar"
And when are they coming to live
here2n
AS soon as the house is in order We
have got the men in new. Jobson promised
10 have it ready in fortnight"
About three weeks later my husband and
] called on our new parishioners. We were
received by Mrs. Mort, who answered the
bell herself.
THE parson and his wife, l should say
from your look. Come in. l don't keep a
servant, you see. Don't make noise.
This way, please
/ was somewhat astonished at this well
come, which was grufiiy and abruptly
spoken. My husband, could see from his
preternaturally solemn expression, was
making a violent effort to. control his
laughter Certainly Mrs. Mort cut very
comical figure She was tall, fat woman
with very red face, and was dressed in a
black gown that might have been made in
Paris under the First Empire. The waist
came up too close beneath the breast, and
it was circled with flowing white sash.
Her hair was cut quite short, like a mans.
SURPRISING our laughter as best we could
we followed her into the drawing room.
We were surprised to find that the win
dows, which commanded an excellent view
of the sea- had been plastered over with red
paper, which completely hid the outside,
and cast lurid and unpleasant light over
the interior of the room. The furniture
consisted of a sofa covered with black stuff,
two armchairs en- suite two other chairs, a
piano and a round table There was no
carpet on the floor, and the walls were SIM
ply whitewashed. The ceiling was stuck
over with black paper Oh the table were
various books, which l recognized, by their
titles, as Mr.. Morris work a picture, with
its face turned TO the wall, hung over the
piano. Over the door was fixed a bracket,
on which stood large plaster-east bust,
the head Of which was extinguished under
paper fools cap.
well take the weather for granted,
said Mrs. Mort, motioning to us to sit
down. Let's talk of something else"
Ny husband behaved like q darling. l
am certain that if | had opened my mouth
st that moment I should have burst into
fits Of laughter He saw This, and came to
the rescue.
We hope you are comfortably settled
an your new home Mrs Mort" he said.
q How do you like Sandwich
'Sandville? Oh, yes. Know nothing
aborf II - retorted the lady
she had not sat down, but was standing
with her back to the wall, with her hands
behind her.
q You have not had time 10 see the place
vet continued my husband. " 1t is quiet,
but very charming. There are some de-
lightful walks by the seaside. Ii is just the
place for literary man. Mr.. Mort will be
delighted with it.
"Ohl will he?" answered his wife.
=" BY the way, how is he?" l asked. We
had hoped to see him. l trust he is not
anwell.n
. No; he's asleep"
" Asleep? l presume he has not vet re-
covered from the fatigue of his journey
No, it isn't that. He always sleeps in
the day. He works at night 1t is an
imitation of Balzac Baizac you know,
used to go TO bed at six, and get up at
twelve Mort goes 10 bed at nine in the
morning and gets up at ten in the evening.
He has his tub then, and his breakfast,
and begins writing Immediately after
ward when / say writing | mean COM
posing. He dictates write. ! have been
his secretary for years. Ever since he
started as a novelist in fact"
YOU must find it very fatguing work, -
] said. al hope you get your proper
sleep.
Yes. I lie down on that sofa for an
hour or so in the morning. That's all the
sleep l want
How very unhealthy said my hus-
hand. Believe me, Mrs. MORT am
something of 4 doctor-this is most inn
prudeut conduct. You cannot run con-
frary to the laws of health in this way
without mourning the penalty. Sleep is
the first necessity
"Don't quote Shakespeare on that sub
iect.' interrupted Mrs. Mort. He's not
appreciated in this house. You see him
there, extinguished.
She pointed to the bust over the door.
.sThat's Morris idea 1t is rather spite-
ful. He SAYS that William Shakespeare
foolz ali the ideas and left nothing for pos
ferity to write about That picture with
its face to the wall is Victor Hugo's. Mort
had written book on Notre Dame. I'm
possible to do anything with it. Hugo had
Inonopolized the subject That's how we
pay him out.
smiling, . won't quote Shakespeare. But
YOU must not deprive yourself Of sleep. 1t is
most unwise. And another thing, light is
great essential to health. Where the sun
hoes not enter the doctor will you know
5shis. gIancing at the darkened panes.
. All, you're wondering why we have